By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent
A Southern California woman is expressing outrage after she says her 62-year old grandfather suffered serious bruising after being beaten on a bus.
“My grandpa was just beat on the bus because he’s Korean because they didn’t want “the Chinese virus,” she tweeted. “Trump started calling it the Chinese virus and everyone started going after Asians. Until you’re beaten because of your skin color you don’t have a say.”
AsAmNews has since learned it happened Monday at 6:30 in the morning. Authorities from the Rialto Police Department in San Bernardino County tell us the victim, who they have not publicly identified, attempted to get on the bus when a male suspect grabbed him from behind and threw him down.
Police Captain Anthony Vega tells AsAmNews the victim’s face slammed into the ground. The suspect then got on the bus and the bus driver drove off.
Police had no description of the suspect, but hope to obtain video evidence of the incident. At this time, authorities do not know the name of the driver, but are working with Omnitrans to get that information and hope to speak to that person.
LATEST ON THIS STORY HERE: Police to pursue attack on Korean man as felony elder abuse
“I know there’s been comments related to coronavirus,” Captain Baker said to AsAmNews. “According to the granddaughter, he doesn’t speak English. There was something said. According to the victim, there was some comment, but he doesn’t know what was said. The granddaughter is speculating this is coronavirus because of things they have personally experienced since coronavirus. The victim him self doesn’t know motive behind it.”
Vega describes Rialto as a progressive city which is predominantly Black and Hispanic. Asians make up 2 percent of the population which is just over 99,000, according to the 2010 Census.
The granddaughter who brought the victim to the police station to file a report translated for her grandfather. After giving his statement, paramedics treated him for abrasions to the face. Police do not know if the victim was taken to the hospital.
“Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers,” the granddaughter wrote on Twitter. “He’s doing okay and is home safe. My family contacted the police and are trying to find the man who did this. The best thing we can do right now is continue to educate people.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story.
RE: Updated: Korean man badly beaten at bus stop in Southern California: What the heck bus driver drove off fire his ass
RE: Updated: Korean man badly beaten at bus stop in Southern California: That stupid President Trump of the United States is to blame for most of this behaviour. I have watched him closely for the last few years. The things he doesn’t say to protect citizens of his own country or things he his says if you disagree or blame him has caused most of the problems. I can’t believe how the Republicans have not grouped together to admonish him. The Republican Party should be ashamed at their behavior for not standing up for citizens of the United States. With luck he will not get re-elected President in November 2020 and continue his apparent mission to destroy what was once a great country. I personally have not travelled to the United States because I don’t believe he can be trusted.
RE: Updated: Korean man badly beaten at bus stop in Southern California: Using this terrible incident as an excuse for more Trump bashing makes it all the worse…One commentator here says: “Until you’re beaten because of your skin color you don’t have a say.” Well, I’ve been abused because of my skin color, with stones thrown at me. Guess where. In Korea, which is vastly more “racist” than the United States.
RE: Updated: Korean man badly beaten at bus stop in Southern California: This is called a country of “freedom” , you can do anything you like….what a hypocricy!
People who suffered as a result of the President’s words and actions should sue Trump as the President because he was the President of the United States. His hate speech caused harms to the citizens of the US and these lawsuits are legit and allowed compensation from the federal government.